Case Study: Eating Disorders

Case Study: Eating Disorders

Question / Answers on Case Study

What points do you think were covered with the senior nurse when speaking to familyywith regard too anorexia nervosa?

The realization of medical concerns for her health was stressful and confronting. Senior nurse explained her family that her daughter is fine and does not need to stay in hospital. Therapeutic relationship can be developed between patient, her family, and nurses. Nurses can conduct a nutritional assessment and obtain a history for food restrictions and weight loss. Senior nurse can also provide limits for exercise and supplemental feedings with consistent guidance.

Is anorexia a mental health condition or a physical condition? Discuss.

Anorexia is a series of bad decisions. It is an interaction of both mental and physical disease similar to indications in other health illness. A certain change in mental state can create an inclination to eat less. The creation of addition to the hunger high is due to hormonal responses. Bodily changes also encourage weight loss as feedback from society (Kaye et al., 2009). There is also modification in social identity and self-perception through bodily changes. This classifies anorexia nervosa as a psychological disease as starvation results in mental and physical complications.

What other symptoms are related to anorexia nervosa?

Hiding eating habits is synonymous to living with anorexia. Other than anorexic food behavior, body image, and anorexic appearance there are other purging symptoms of anorexia. The use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills cause weight loss (Kaye et al., 2009). Throwing up after eating and following a compulsive exercising is other symptoms of this disease.

Based on the signs and symptoms, what alternative diagnosis needs to be considered?

Different physiological and medical conditions lead to alternative diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. An increasing psychiatric comorbidity complicates the diagnosis of this eating disorder. The psychological disorders include individuals with narcissistic personality that experience preoccupation of body image to measure self-esteem (Carlson & Schenkman, 2011). The weight loss with reduced appetite is frequently missed due to secrecy related to symptoms.

If Terry remains in hospital, what nursing responsibilities would you need to take into consideration when planning your nursing care interventions to give her the best chance of an optimal recovery?

Nurses should encourage ongoing assessment that includes taking record on weight and height of patient with complete weight history as clinical anorexia is related to ordinary weight loss dieting. Nurse should also conduct a nutritional ...